After studying the Latin origins of the word, COMPETITION, they concluded that our culture typically interprets it negatively. We often see competitors as striving AGAINST each other.

A definition that aligns better with the original root meaning is:

Competition is a striving WITH opponents.

According to the authors, “competition is designed to bring out physical excellence and the exhilaration, excitement, and joy that come from pushing one’s boundaries toward peak performance.”

Real-Life Application: Parents should consistently set the tone for how their athlete views competition. Switch out language — where appropriate — to promote a more positive view, for example:

Instead of viewing competition as a battle, see it as a partnership toward improvement

Goals should not be focused on superiority, but rather on excellence

Opponents are not the enemy or obstacle but rather a partner and enabler who causes you to be your best

2) Is There a More Effective Praise?

How do you compliment or praise your kids? Do you tell your daughter that she is smart or your son that he is handsome?

Both comments, are essential to developing self-esteem.

However, did you know certain kinds of praise inspire and motivate your child to work harder at becoming better?

Carol Dweck — a professor at Standford and best-selling author of Mindset — did a study with over 400 5th-graders that revealed some fascinating truths.

In a nutshell, kids that were praised for their EFFORT on a test rather than their innate INTELLIGENCE worked harder, worked longer, and enjoyed it more than those 5th-graders who were commended for their “smarts.”

The research supports the idea that praise is good. But giving specific praise about process and effort is a more effective motivator than praising intelligence or ability.

Self 1 is a judge and critic that is analytical, ego-driven, and worries

Self 2 is more intuitive, trained, physical, and automatic

The secret to peak performance, according to Gallwey’s theory, is to get self 1 out of the way so that self 2 can do what it knows to do. This is accomplished by not being so caught up in the outcome, and by getting self 1 to focus on some activity like the:

Sound of the ball when it bounces toward you on the court

Feel of the water gliding over your head during freestyle swim

Sound you hear when your foot hits the center of a soccer ball

Real-Life Application: Share the theory of self 1 and self 2 with your young athlete because it is a visual that most kids can understand and picture when they are in competition.

Talk through the specific activity that she can use to “distract” self 1 from negative chatter in her mind. Practice visualizing the action before a game.

4) Are There Ways to Grow Talent?

Wouldn’t it be great to have the tools to grow your athlete’s talent?

Daniel Coyle, the author of The Talent Code, reveals that greatness is not born, but can be grown. He did extensive research around talent “hotbeds” across the globe to discover 3 elements that allow you to develop natural talents into stronger skills.

These 3 components can help your child to optimize performance in sports, art, music, and math:

Deep practice — operate at the edges of ability, where you make mistakes because the mistakes make you smarter. There is neuroscience behind this phenomenon that is fascinating but complex. Watch this 5-minute TedTalk to have a better understanding.

Ignition — Passion that motivates and a higher level of commitment

Master Coaching — Someone who fuels passion, inspires deep practice, brings out the best in athletes, and is willing to allow performance to happen.

Real-Life Application: Recognize that your athlete can grow in their talent regardless of what they were born with.

Focus on inspiring your child to work through the difficult challenges that come during practice — reminding them that progress is made in those spaces.

Take the Next Step

Each of these gold-nuggets is surrounded by valuable and actionable truths in the books mentioned. They are well-worth reading for coaches and parents. (The links we provided are affiliate links.)

Now it’s time to take action. Choose one of the gold nuggets to apply to yours and your athlete’s life.

Be someone else’s inspiration by sharing in the comments below the action you plan to take. Peak performance may be one step away.

Founder of Growing Champions for Life, David helps sports parents and coaches incorporate positivity and persistence into their communication with the young athletes who count on their encouragement and guidance. An eight-time national water skiing champion, five-time national record holder in water ski jumping, former World Championship U.S. Water Ski Team coach, and proud professional sports parent, he understands first-hand the challenges and rewards of competition. His extensive experience as a corporate leadership coach for Nextel, Sprint, Allstate, Balfour Beatty, The Villages and other companies provides David with unique insight into the skills needed to excel in sports, business and life. He brings an athlete's discipline, a coach's inspiration, and a parent's practical experience to his mission to grow not just champion young athletes, but holistically well-rounded individuals equipped for lifelong excellence.

Founder of Growing Champions for Life, David helps sports parents and coaches incorporate positivity and persistence into their communication with the young athletes who count on their encouragement and guidance. An eight-time national water skiing champion, five-time national record holder in water ski jumping, former World Championship U.S. Water Ski Team coach, and proud professional sports parent, he understands first-hand the challenges and rewards of competition. His extensive experience as a corporate leadership coach for Nextel, Sprint, Allstate, Balfour Beatty, The Villages and other companies provides David with unique insight into the skills needed to excel in sports, business and life. He brings an athlete's discipline, a coach's inspiration, and a parent's practical experience to his mission to grow not just champion young athletes, but holistically well-rounded individuals equipped for lifelong excellence.

From Chump to Champ – How Individuals go from Good to Great

Join David Benzel on one of the most significant and meaningful endeavors you will every take. It is a journey that must start on the individual level, and requires persistence and direction every step of the way.